April 18 2023, Chennai: ‘Saurashtra-Tamil Sangam’, realising the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, begins at Somnath in the presence of Hon’ble Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Hon’ble Union Minister of Health Shri Mansukhbhai Mandaviya.India has witnessed a historical cultural revival under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Rajnath Singh.
This event will further strengthen cultural, trade, and commercial ties between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.
300 Tamilians visit Somnath today. Events will be held at Gir-Somnath and Dwarka till 30 April, 2023.
Gandhinagar, 17 April 2023: The ‘Saurashtra Tamil Sangam’ program commenced at the Somnath Mahadev in the presence of Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Hon’ble Union Health Minister Shri Mansukhbhai Mandaviya and other dignitaries.
The Hon’ble Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh, in his address, said, “This program, highlighting the bond between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat reflects the cultural diversity and strength of India. Protecting our cultural is as important as border security, economic security, food security, social security and cyber security. Border security is necessary to protect a nation. Similarly, cultural security is also important to maintain its identity. Historical work is being done in this direction under the guidance and leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi. We have witnessed a cultural revival of India.”
In 2006, Saurashtra University invited Tamils, under the guidance of the then Chief Minister ShriNarendraModi.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendra Patel in his address said, “Under the inspiration and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, this historic event has taken place in the holy presence of Lord Somnath.” Welcoming the people who came to Somnath from Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said that this unique program of bringing the native Saurashtra Tamils who were going to Tamil Nadu centuries ago to visit their native land and thus celebrate the confluence of two cultures is very important towards fulfilling ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ – the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi.
Stating that Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi started politics of inclusive development without any discrimination, the Chief Minister requested the Tamilians to visit Gujarat at length and witness development. The exchange of literature, trade, culture and commerce between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will increase after this event under the guidance and leadership of Shri Narendrabhai Modi. This festival will be the foundation of national unity.
Talking about the relationship between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu and the contributions of the Saurashtrian people, the Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Puducherry Shri Tamilisai Soundararajan said that the ruler Tirumalai Naikkar and the princess used to wear silk clothes made by Gujarati which was finer than the Chinese and European silk.
Union Health Minister Mr. Mansukhbhai Mandaviya warmly welcomed the tourists from Tamil Nadu and said that the original Tamil people of Saurashtra, who migrated to Tamil Nadu by sea to save their religion and culture, have again visited their native land in honor of the first Jyotirlinga Lord Somnath. India’s specialty is unity in diversity.
M.P of Navsari Shri C. R. Patil, Health Minister of Gujarat Shri Rushikeshbhai Patel, Tourism Minister of Gujarat Shri Mulubhai Bera, MPs Shri Rajeshbhai Chudasama, Ms. Poonamben Madam, Shri Rambhai Mokaria, Zilla Panchayat President Shri Ramiben Waja, MLAs, Tourism Secretary Mr. Harit Shukla, Commissioner of Youth Services and Culture Department Mr. Harshad Kumar Patel and officials of government, Somnath Trust, and district administration were present during the event.
